| Key West, Florida NEIGHBORHOODS Author: Barbara Hayo www.TrustedTours.com |
Old Town. Most things to see and do are clustered in Old Town. Approximately 1 square mile in size, it radiates from the harbor, on the Gulf of Mexico side of the island. Designated as a historic district, the concentration of restored 19th century structures set amid a tangle of tropical flora, gives the island a storybook quality. The mix of businesses and residences give it an amiable small town atmosphere. Within Old Town there are several distinct areas:
Mallory Square, considered the “heart” of Old Town, is the area most frequented by tourists. It is a hub of activity with shops, museums, attractions, restaurants and popular bars, most open to the prevailing trade winds. Every evening, hundreds gather in Mallory Square to enjoy Key West’s signature happening, Sunset Celebration.
Historic Seaport District, also called the Key West Bight, is a working seaport, primarily for pleasure craft. It bustles with boats for hire, waterfront stores, activities, bars and restaurants.
Lower Duval is a loosely designated area around the Gulf end of the island comprising the first few blocks around the foot of Duval Street, the island’s best known thoroughfare. Open to vehicular traffic, the area is pedestrian friendly and is lined with shops, attractions, restaurants and bars.
Upper Duval refers to the blocks towards the Atlantic end of the famous street. Known as the “quiet” end of Duval, it is an area of wonderful galleries and numerous fine restaurants.
Bahama Village, a community west of Whitehead Street, roughly between Angela and Catherine, reflects Key West’s rich Bahamian heritage, most notably during the annual Goombay Festival.
New Town, an area of single family, ranch style concrete homes, modern commercial business and schools, is home to many local families. Built after World War II on filled land, first created to meet the needs of Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railway and later to accommodate the US Navy, it has newer hotels, restaurants, and fast food chains lining the main thoroughfare, Roosevelt Boulevard, which circles the island along the water.
Stock Island, just over the Cow Key Channel Bridge leading out of Key West, but still within city limits, is an area of growing tourist activity. Many of the back country flats fishing trips and kayak tours depart from Hurricane Hole Marina. The Tennessee Williams Theater hosts the seasonal Island Opera and the Key West Symphony; nearby is the fledgling Botanical Garden. Casual restaurants dot the island, featuring the freshest seafood, including the famous Key West pink shrimp, supplied by nearby commercial fish, shrimp, and lobster docks.
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